Do Baby Teeth Really Matter? Preventing Cavities Early

By Dr. Mohsen Alozaibi, Tiny Teeth Dental Center, Abu Dhabi

"They're going to fall out anyway." It's an understandable thought, but baby teeth do important work for years, and cavities in them can cause real problems. The good news is that most childhood cavities can be prevented with simple daily habits.

Why baby teeth are important

• Eating and nutrition: healthy teeth let children chew comfortably and eat a varied diet.
• Speech: front teeth help children form sounds clearly.
• Saving space: baby teeth hold space for the adult teeth underneath. Losing one too early can lead to crowding later.
• Confidence: children notice their smiles too.
• Comfort and sleep: a decayed tooth can cause pain, infection and sleepless nights.

Some back baby teeth stay in the mouth until around age 10 to 12, so they need to last a long time.

How cavities start

Cavities happen when bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and produce acid that weakens the enamel. How often a child has sugar matters as much as how much. Sipping juice, milk or sweet drinks throughout the day, or falling asleep with a bottle, keeps teeth bathed in sugar for hours.

Early warning signs include white chalky lines or spots near the gums, which can later turn brown. If you notice these, it's worth getting them checked, because early decay can sometimes be stopped before it needs a filling.

Everyday habits that protect teeth

1. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Use a rice-grain smear for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount from age 3 to 6. 2. Parents brush, children "help". Most children need an adult to brush for them, or check their brushing, until around age 7 or 8. 3. Spit, don't rinse. After brushing, let your child spit out the extra toothpaste without rinsing with water, so the fluoride keeps working. 4. No bottle in bed. If your child needs comfort at night, offer water only after the last brush of the day. 5. Water is the best drink between meals. Keep juice and sweet drinks to mealtimes, if at all. 6. Keep sweets to mealtimes rather than spreading them across the day. Sticky sweets and dried fruits like dates are best followed by water or brushing. 7. Regular dental check-ups, usually every six months.

When to see the dentist sooner

Book a visit if you see white or brown spots, holes or dark areas on teeth, if your child complains of pain when eating, or if there is swelling of the gum or face. Swelling of the face with fever needs urgent attention.